Business Spotlight: Jamestown Hospitality Group

BY AMANDA SCHIMMEL

Founded in 2015 by longtime friends Chris Blackwell and Paul Bouchard, Jamestown Hospitality Group is the force behind beloved brands such as Tonic Seafood & Steak, Park Café, Giordano’s, and Jamestown Catering Co. With multiple venues across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, the group continues to expand its presence. From intimate cafés to full-scale catering operations, each new venture reflects their passion for quality service and experiences.

Each restaurant has its own personality and story. Among the most well-known to Delawareans is Tonic Seafood & Steak, located in downtown Wilmington. Tonic is known not only for its exceptional cuisine but also for its versatile spaces that cater to everything from intimate dinners to private events. In addition, Tonic offers private rooms like the Salon and Juniper, which can be combined into one expansive event space or used separately to suit a variety of needs.

Jamestown Catering Co. also started out of Tonic’s kitchen around 2016 and quickly gained momentum. As the demand grew for high-quality and full-service catering, a new venue was necessary. Now sharing a space with Park Café — another Jamestown brand — on Fifth Street, the catering company is thriving. “We chose our location on

West Fifth Street because of the strong family ties our owners have to the area. This space was originally home to our cofounder’s family business, Jamestown Painting, which was headquartered here back in 1917,” adds April Doughty, director of marketing for Jamestown Hospitality Group. Their impressive portfolio includes VIP catering for major events like the Boardwalk Rock Festival and the former Firefly Music Festival, as well as weddings and corporate functions.

Further south in Georgetown, Md., Deep Blue at Kitty Knight offers guests a scenic escape on the Sassafras River. The inn takes its name from Catherine “Kitty” Knight, a heroine during the War of 1812. “As the story goes, British soldiers began burning homes in Georgetown and she stood her ground to protect one of the community’s homes, saying there was a bedridden woman inside who couldn’t be moved — and somehow, they listened,” Doughty explains. Since acquiring the property in 2021, Jamestown Hospitality has revitalized the site, adding enhancements like a covered gazebo to better host weddings and live music events.

Another standout in the Jamestown family is Giordano’s, located in Kennett Square, Pa. Acquired nearly three years ago, Giordano’s carries a rich legacy that began in 1980 with three Italian brothers who built the restaurant into a beloved local institution. Doughty shares, “They actually sought us out because they were ready to sell but wanted the business to go to someone they trusted. They approached us with the opportunity, and with Jamestown already having roots in the area, the transition was seamless.”

From front-of-house teams to executive leadership, everyone at Jamestown Hospitality Group operates with the same core values: excellence, passion, ownership, teamwork, and a focus on relationships. “Combined with what we call our ‘uniques’ — being uncommonly reliable, proudly serving great food, and consistently going above and beyond — we’re proud to deliver a consistent, high-quality experience across all of our brands,” Doughty finishes.